Tilting accessory for standard bed



July 12, 1966 J. s. ALSOBROOK, JR 3,

TILTING ACCESSORY FOR STANDARD BED Filed Jan. 27, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 1956 J. s. ALSOBROOK, JR 3,259,921

TILTING ACCESSORY FOR STANDARD BED Filed Jan. 27, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 n5 24 g 2%q INVENTOR JAMES SAMUEL ALSOBROOK, JR.

ATTDj NEY July 12, 1966 J. 5. ALSOBROOK, JR 3,259,921

TILTING ACCESSORY FOR STANDARD BED Filed Jan. 27, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR JAMES SAMUEL LSOBROOK, JR.

ATTO EY United States Patent 3,259,921 TILTING ACCESSORY FOR STANDARD BED James Samuel Alsobrook, Jr., Lookout Mountain, Tenu., assignor to ADX Corporation, Chattanooga, Tenn., a corporation of Tennessee Filed Jan. 27, 1965, Ser. No. 428,338 2 Claims. (Cl. 5-62) This invention relates to an accessory for a standard bed by which the springs and mattress can be tilted to an inclination in a flat plane.

In the cases of many people having different physical ailments, it is either necessary or very desirable for them to be able to rest and sleep in inclined positions. One of such conditions is that of hiatus hernia, in which it is necessary to rest with the head elevated; another such condition is that of cardiac failure, in which sleeping in a head high position alleviates discomfort. Other conditions require that rest and sleep be in a foot high position, some of these being gross varicosities and phlebitis resulting from diabetes.

Many devices have been proposed in the past for providing a resting or sleeping surface which is inclined. These are impractical for several reasons. Most of them require that the entire bed be specially constructed, making it very costly and not blending with other furniture in a harmonious decorative plan. Many of such special beds are also complicated in construction, adding considerably to their cost.

Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide for use with a standard bed an accessory to be placed between the springs and the slat barriers by which the springs and mattress can be raised from a horizontal to an inclined position for use and can be lowered again, when not in use.

Another object is to provide such an accessory having transverse frame members which are adjustable in length to fit the width of any standard bedstead.

A further object is to provide such an accessory which is readily adaptable for shipment in knocked-down condition and which can easily and quickly be set up in place on a bedstead, with the longitudinal and transverse frame members arranged accurately in positions normal to each other and without requiring accurate measuring to be placed in such positions.

' Still another object of the invention is to provide such an accessory having means for locking it in elevated position which is simple and inexpensive and also positive and unfailing.

. A still further object is to provide such an accessory including an elevated lever having an absolutely steady but freely pivoting bearing.

Another object is to provide such an accessory which is simple and inexpensive in construction, as well as simple and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a bed incorporating an accessory made in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the accessory illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a side View of the accessory in lowered position;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the accessory in raised position;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the accessory, as seen from the right on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view, partly broken away, on the line 6-6 of FIG. 3, showing the elevation mechanism;

Patented July 12, 1966 ice FIG. 7 is a sectional view on line 7-7 of FIG. 6, showing the lever for elevating the accessory in lowered position;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the elevating lever in raised position, with the gravity lock in use;

FIG. 9A is a sectional view on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8, showing the hearing by which the members of the elevating lever are connected;

FIG. 9B is a partial enlarged sectional view of the bearing shown in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective View of one of the horizontal corner plates by which the longitudinal rails of the accessory are pivotally connected to the transverse stretches, showing the end of a stretcher and a stop member for limiting the pivotal movement of the stretcher; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a modified form of the accessory in which is illustrated a possible application of a power drive replacing manual operation.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a standard bed including a bed-stead having a head 1 with legs, a foot 2 with legs, connecting side members 3 and, attached to or formed integrally with the side members, inwardly projecting slat barriers 4 adapted to support transverse slats which hold up the springs in ordinary use of the bed. Adapted to rest upon the slat barriers 4, within the side members 3 and within the head 1 and foot 2, is an accessory made in accordance with this invention, generally indicated at 5. Standard springs 6 are adapted to rest upon the accessory 5 and to support a standard mattress 7.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 6, the accessory 5 includes a pair of spaced parallel longitudinal lower rails 8 adapted to rest upon and be supported by the slat barriers 4. The rails 8 constitute, with other parts to be described, a primary supporting frame; they are connected together by a pair of spaced transverse stretchers 9. The stretchers are adjustable in length and may, for example, consist of telescoping angle iron or channel members which are secured in their adjusted positions by means of bolts and wing nuts 10 engaging in suitable elongated slots in the members. At each end of each longitudinal lower rail 8 is fixed at least one horizontal plate 11 forming a lower corner plate to which the stretchers 9 are pivotally attached near their seen, the stop member limits the pivotal movement of the' stretcher and instantly positions the stretcher at a right angle or normal to the longitudinal rail 8 to which it is pivotally attached by the intermediate means of corner plate 11. If desired, a corresponding and parallel upper plate may also be provided, enclosing between the two plates the end of the stretcher.

A secondary supporting frame is pivoted to the primary supporting frame on a transverse axis at one end of the primary frame as, for example, to an upper corner plate 13 having an upstandiag flange serving as a hinge plate. The secondary supporting frame includes a pair of parallel longitudinal rails 14, each pivoted to the primary 4 supporting frame and connected near their opposite ends by an adjustable stretcher comprising an elevating bar 15 and elevating slides 16, FIG. 6, fastened to'the extremities of the bar. Like the stretcher 9, the stretchers comprising the bar 15 and slides 16 is adjustable in length by engagement in suitable elongated slots therein of bolts 2 and wing nuts 10. i

Projecting downwardly from each of thelongitudinal rails 8 is a shaft bearing plate 17, FIGS. 38,located adjacent to the ends of the rails opposite the pivotal axis of the secondary supporting frame. A rotatable torque shaft 18 is mounted transversely for rotation in the shaft bearing plates 17. A manual operating lever 19 is fixed or keyed onto one end of the shaft 18 so as to rotate the shaft when the lever is moved. The length of the operating lever 19 is no greater than the distance from the center of the torque shaft 18 to the top of the mattress 7,in the raised position, so that, in its upper position, it cannot be accidentally lowered, e.g. while the occupant of the bed is asleep. Adjusting collars 20 are provided adjacent to the ends of the shaft 18, abutting against the bearing plates 17, to adjust the length of the shaft to correspond to the width of the primary supporting frame and the bed and .to hold the shaft in the proper transverse position.

To the shaft 18 is fixed, as by welding or the like, at least one torque lever or crank 21 in a vertical plane. Near its opposite end, the crank has a series of spaced adjusting holes 22 and it is connected by means of a bearing, generally indicated at 23, to a drag link or connecting rod 24. The other end of the connecting rod is pivotally attached at 25 to a drag link bearing clip 26 which, in turn, is fixed to the lower surface of the elevating bar 15. The transverse elevating bar 15 may be an angle iron with a side 15A extending vertically downwardly in such a way that when the elevating lever I comprising the crank 21 and the connecting rod 24 is moved past a straight line position in elevating the secondary supporting frame, the side of the connecting rod 24 abuts against the depending flange 15A of the elevating bar 15 and becomes locked in elevated position by the weight resting upon the secondary supporting frame, as shown in FIG. 8.

As in the case of the crank 21, the connecting rod 24 has formed in it a plurality of adjusting holes 27, which are preferably tapped to receive the threads of a scissor type bearing bolt 28 having a nut 29 thereon, shown in FIG. 9B. The bolt 28 has, atthe inner end of its threads, an abutment surface 30, so that the connecting rod 24 can be fastened securely against the abutment 30 by the nut 29. The crank 21 is pivotally mounted upon the bearing portion 31'of the bolt and is positioned firmly but so as to be freely rotatable between the head of the bolt and the adjacent portion of the connecting rod 24 by flat spacer washers 32. In this way, a bearing is provided which is locked firmly in place on one of the elevating lever members, e.g..the connecting rod 24, at the same time providing free pivoting on the .bolt of the other lever member, e.g. the crank 21, without any sidewise motion or wobbling.

In operation of the manual model, the operating lever 19 is moved through an arc of about 90, causing the torque shaft 18 to rotate and actuating the cranks 21 which, through the scissor bearings 23, apply force to the connecting rods 24. The connecting rods, in turn, transmit the lifting force to the bearing clips 26 and to the elevating bar 15 and elevating slides 16 forming part of the secondary frame. This causes the secondary frame to rise above the primary frame, pivoting around the .transverse axis in the corner plates 13, thus raising the springs .6 and mattress 7 to an inclined flat plane. By adjustment of the bearing bolts 23 to appropriate adjusting holes 22 and 27, the amount of inclination of the plane can be varied. The operation of the power model illustrated in FIG. 11 is similar to that of the manualmodel, with the exception of the adjustment of elevation, which is determined by the distance of thrust of the piston rod extending from the cylinder 34 exerted on the crank 33.

When it is desired to change the manual operating lever.

from one side of the bed to the other, the attaching bolts for the torque shaft bearing plates 17, shown best in FIG. 6, are removed from the primary supporting frame. The cranks 21 are disconnected from the connecting rods 24 by removing the bearing bolts 23. The ends of the torque shaft 18 are reversed and the parts just described are reassembled in the reverse of their original order.

If desired, the adjustable elevating bar 15 can be disconnected and reversed, at the same time reversing the mechanical action of the manual model. The posi-, tion of the operating lever 19 can be made vertical when the secondary supporting frame is lowered, thereby enabling the user to apply his weight. to, push down on the operating lever, instead of pulling up, to accomplish elevation. The lock provided by the vertical web 15A of the elevating bar 15, against which the connecting rod 24 abuts, will still be effective to lock the secondary supporting frame in a raised position.

In the power-operated modification of FIG. 11, the

manual operating lever. is replaced by a suitable source of power, such as an electric motor, a hydraulic pump, a compressed air cylinder, or the like. In this case, the ele-. vation safety lock comprising the abutment of the. con

necting rod 24 against the depending flange 15A of the elevating bar 15 is not necessary. In place ofthe crank acting hydraulic cylinder 34, is pivotally connected to the crank 33, the cylinder being actuated by a hydraulic. power pack, i.e., an electric motor and pump 35. Suitable controls, not shown, are provided for actuating the power model.

Although the accessory of this invention is especially useful as an attachment to a standard bed, it can be converted to a bed frame, itself. Either the manual or the power-operated model may have castered legs 36 and suitable mounting plates 37 for attachment of a head-. 1

board, converting it to a Hollywood bed.

By this invention, there is provided an accessory for tilting springs and a mattress which can he easily in-w stalled on any conventional bed without requiring the use of screws, nails, or the like on thebed to hold the accessory in position. Hollywood bed and an identical Hollywood bed can be furnished, without the mechanism, at a very reasonable cost. The accessory is readily adjustable for use with any conventional bed having standard beds, springs and mattresses of different widths.

The stop members provided for the transverse stretchers enable quick setting up, from a knocked-down condition of shipment, of the accessory with the transverse stretcher members virtually perpendicular to the longitudinal members.

The sleeping surface is safely locked in the inclined position and cannot be accidentally closed.

A sleeping surface is provided which is in a flat plane. The sleeping surface may be raised either at the head or the foot to the desired angle. The device may be easily raised or lowered by one person. It can be readily adapted 1 to motorized or power. operation, as well as to manual operation.

The mechanism is engineered with materials. to pro-. vide a maximum of strength and a minimum of weight. The entire manual mechanism can be installed by the average man. The mechanical characteristics of the 'device are stable, with no unwanted motion or noise. device can be, easily produced at a very reasonable cost for purchaseby people of moderate means.

The mechanism of the accessory does not interfere with dusting or cleaning under the bed and it does not interfere with bed decorations, such as bedspreads, dust rufiles, etc. The device is not easily noticeable when it is in a closed position.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat various changes may be made in the invention, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the One bed so equipped can be .a

The

drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a standard bedstead having side members including slat barriers, an accessory for tilting springs and a mattress to an inclination comprising a primary supporting frame, including a pair of spaced parallel longitudinal rails supported onthe slat barriers, a horizontal plate fixed to each end of each rail, and a pair of spaced transverse stretchers pivotally connected at each end to one of the plates, each plate having fixed thereon a stop member arresting the pivotal movement of the stretcher when it is normal to the adjacent rail.

2. In combination with a standard bedstead having side members including slat barriers, an accessory for tilting springs and a mattress to an inclination comprising: a primary supporting frame, including a pair of spaced parallel longitudinal rails and a pair of spaced transverse stretchers pivotally connected to the rails by horizontal plates fixed to the rails, the plates having fixed thereon stop members limiting the pivotal movement of the stretchers to positions normal to the rails, each of said stretchers being adjustable in length to cause the rails to rest on the slat barriers; a secondary supporting frame pivoted to the primary supporting frame on a transverse axis at one end of the primary frame, a rotatable shaft pivotally supported by the primary frame adjacent to its opposite end, means for rotating the shaft, at least one crank and connecting rod elevating lever connected between the primary frame and the secondary frame, the end of the crank being fixed to the shaft, the end of the connecting rod being pivotally connected to the secondary frame and the secondary frame including a stop member engageable by the connecting rod when the lever is moved past a straight line position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 506,056 10/1893 Millar 562 984,879 2/1911 Bartholome 5--69 1,018,865 2/ 1912 Benedetti 562 1,255,208 2/ 1918 Muller 573 1,506,525 8/ 1924 Hegedus 562 1,967,771 7/ 1934 Gardeski 562 2,480,025 8/ 1949 Hunter 5185 3,149,349 9/1964 Nelson 566 FOREIGN PATENTS 530,861 7/ 1955 Italy.

FRANCIS K. ZUGEL, Acting Primary Examiner.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Examiner.

C. A. NUNBERG, Assistant Examiner. 

2. IN COMBINATION WITH A STANDARD BEDSTEAD HAVING SIDE MEMBERS INCLUDING SLAT BARRIERS, AN ACCESSORY FOR TILTING SPRINGS AND A MATTRESS TO AN INCLINATION COMPRISING: A PRIMARY SUPPORTING FRAME, INCLUDING A PAIR OF SPACED PARALLEL LONGITUDINAL RAILS AND A PAIR OF SPACED TRANSVERSE STRETCHERS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE RAILS BY HORIZONTAL PLATES FIXED TO THE RAILS, THE PLATES HAVING FIXED THEREON STOP MEMBERS LIMITING THE PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF THE STRETCHERS TO POSITIONS NORMAL TO THE RAILS, EACH OF SAID STRETCHERS BEING ADJUSTABLE IN LENGTH TO CAUSE THR RAILS TO REST ON THE SLAT BARRIERS; A SECONDARY SUPPORTING FRAME PIVOTED TO THE PRIMARY SUPPORTING FRAME ON A TRANSVERSE AXIS AT ONE END OF THE PRIMARY FRAME, A ROTATABLE SHAFT PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED BY THE PRIMARY FRAME ADJACENT TO ITS OPPOSITE END, MEANS FOR ROTATING THE SHAFT, AT LEAST ONE CRANK AND CONNECTING ROD ELEVATING LEVER CONNECTED BETWEEN THE PRIMARY FRAME AND THE SECONDARY FRAME, THE END OF THE CRANK BEING FIXED TO THE SHAFT, THE END OF THE CONNECTING ROD BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE SECONDARY FRAME AND THE SECONDARY FRAME INCLUDING A STOP MEMBER ENGAGEABLE BY THE CONNECTING ROD WHEN THE LEVER IS MOVED PAST A STRAIGHT LINE POSITION. 